No Jeans, C'MON NOW?

So we had some clients come this week which means we are allowed casual days. So, I came into work today in a dress top and jeans. Much to my dismay I was sent home to change and then return to work later with the "appropriate dress attire." Excuse me?

First of all, I leave early on Thursdays to go to school and apparently this is when they made their supposed announcement(after I left) that we had to come today(Friday) in our business casual wear.

So, here is how the situation played out. I come to work on time, sit at my desk and log into my station and then was told to log out and go into the conference room. V says, " you all need to go home and change into appropriate dress attire and come back to work. I need you to do it, no complaining, if you want to talk about it, go talk to to the VP."

So, I walk over to him and we don't really get along because of a previous experience I had with this person when my grandfather passed back in November and I needed a grievance day and he didn't want to give me one. Anyways, I informed him because he often forgets that I leave early for school on Thursdays and was unaware. He then redirects us to the break room because all the other people being sent home were getting loud. I was perfectly calm, I was not trying to cause a scene at ALL.

I went and clocked out and waited in there for him to come in and said my peace. Informed him I left early for school and that I wasn't told. He replied there were two announcements. I informed him that if he sends me home I would not come back to work today because of not having gas money and that I would be back tomorrow for work. He states it is my decision. All the others getting sent home started to get rowdy and he begins yelling at everyone, me included and I was calm. This was because it was pay day today and they wanted to leave with their paychecks. He then tells everyone they can come back at noon to get their pay checks but they have to come back and work too! Can we say illegal? He can not withhold their paychecks! I get direct deposit so it doesn't matter either way. But, anyways I am completely irritated! Not only that, if an employee makes a decision not to come back in after being sent home, they cannot be made to work again when picking up a paycheck. Maybe make them pick it up at the end of the work day. This is just completely WRONG!